ANEW "DAWSON" BRIDGE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3013, 26 February 1917, Page 6

ANEW "DAWSON" BRIDGE

j OVER THE HUTT RIVER. ' Settlers from all over the Upper Hutt district wer? present on Friday 5 afternoon ; at_ the opening of the new.' private ferroconcrete suspension bridge : which, has been erected over the Hutfci River at Hakaretu (Maori Bank) for' Messrs. 'Whitoman and Cottle, by Mr. j Joseph Dawson, tho well-known, bridge constructor, Tho ceremony of opening: the new structure performed b.v Mr. T. M. Wilfofd, M.P. Amongst : those present were the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luke), Mr. A, W.i Hogg (ex-M.P. for Masterton), Captain; Post, Mr. 0. E. Daniell, and members of the various local bodies. The now bridge is of a somewhat novel charac-. ter, inasmuch as it is entirely constructed of iron and ferro-concrete, no wood at all being used. It is about 120 ft. long, and of ample width to accommodate any vehicle that is likely to use it. On either bank are two whitepainted' towers of reinforced concrete and connected together by measp of a, graceful arch. On top of the towers aro massive iron castings with twelve iron wheels on each tower to support the cables. The anchor rods are 16 in number of 2in. iron, connected to the anchors with large iron washers. The eight cables have each a breaking strain of 75 tons, or a total strain of '600 tons.' There are 62 suspension rods,; Sjtfcached to tho cables with reinforced - concrete clips at intervals of five feet. The girders are sf trussed railway iron,. ■spaced at five feet centres, with curved corrugated iron between to support the concrete flooring. The total weight of the bridgp on the cables is 50 tons. The finished cost of the whole structure is in the vicinity of £1400.

Mrs. Whiteman performed the actual ceremony of cutting the ribbon, which waß done with a pair of silver scissors presented hy Mr. Dawson. --The first to cross was Miss Myra Post, youngest daughter of Captain, and Mrs. C. F« Post.